GiGi

Hi Everyone. My name is Jeanne and I am 46 years old (47 in less than a week). My surgery date is July 16th and I am having Gastric Plication as part of a clinical trial with Dr. Ponce in Chattanooga TN. I live in North Georgia so this is very convenient for me.

I am 5'8" with a large frame and I weigh 295 pounds. This is the largest I have been and I have been at this weight for about a year. I can loose weight rather easily but I put it right back on. I am a Foodie and love to cook and eat. I used to be able to keep my weight at about 260 and that was not too bad for me but now I am having medical issues. I am on a low dose blood pressure medicine. I am having trouble with my knee that I had surgery on two years ago after taking a fall and tore my meniscus. I am also having new issues with my legs. My lower legs are swelling up and pooling blood. It is very uncomfortable and very painful. I just want to cry every day because I don't feel like the real me anymore.

I have two teenage daughters at home and the most supportive Husband on the planet. He is very scared about this surgery but he knows I have to do something. Being self-pay I decided to do this surgery because the cost is so reasonable. We are financing the cost and will have to pay it off over a 5 year period. It is going to stretch us very thin but I don't know what else to do. I want to be vibrant and healthy for my family.